May 30, 2023 – Project Inception Meeting (PIM) and Project Coordination Committee (PCC) Meeting for the project “Improved local community livelihood through increased income from non-timber forest products (NTFP): Modeling scalable community-based enterprise in Asia (AFoCO/035/2022)” was held. The meeting brought together key stakeholders to kick-start an initiative to empower local communities and enhance their livelihoods through sustainable practices.
Co-chaired by the AFoCO Secretariat and the Republican State Enterprise (RSE) ‘Zhasyl Aimak,’ which represents the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the meeting witnessed the active participation of delegates from AFoCO and RSE ‘Zhasyl Aimak.’
The Meeting commenced with a warm exchange of greetings and introductions, setting the stage for productive discussions on the project’s objectives and strategies. Then, Dr. Junghwan Park presented the project management framework, drawing from the AFoCO Project Manual and Guidelines. This comprehensive framework lays the groundwork for effective project execution, including the Generation and Use of Project Savings and Carry-Over Budget.
During the meeting, several important topics were addressed, including an overview of the AFoCO Project Management framework, the presentation of the project’s general information, and discussions on the overall work and budget plan. The development of the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) Matrix was also a central point of discussion. Also, Kazakhstan decided to focus primarily on the honey sector, leveraging its potential for sustainable income generation.
Both the AFoCO Secretariat and the Republican State Enterprise ‘Zhasyl Aimak’ expressed appreciation for the smooth organization of the meeting. The active participation and support provided by the Secretariat were commended by the delegates. The meeting concluded with optimism and the anticipation of future progress, including plans for a field visit by the Secretariat to Kazakhstan to support project implementation and continued fruitful collaboration.
AFoCO remains committed to driving positive change and sustainable development in local communities. Through initiatives like the “Improved local community livelihood through non-timber forest products” project, AFoCO strives to create lasting social, economic, and environmental benefits, fostering a brighter future for communities across Asia.
Contributed by Ms. YoungJu HAN, Project Management Coordinator
